When do western tanagers arrive in British Columbia?
The Western Tanager is a summer breeder in British Columbia — here is when to expect it, when it leaves, and how to be ready.
Western Tanager timing in British Columbia
- Arrives
- Around May
- Leaves
- By August
- Status here
- Summer breeder
- Nesting season
- June–July
- Present roughly
- May–August
In British Columbia, western tanagers are present through the warm months, arriving around May and heading south again by August.
These windows are set by latitude: British Columbia sits in the middle part of this species' range, so timing here runs later than the continental average — the season starts later this far north and the birds wait for it. In any given year, weather can move the first arrivals by a week or two either way.
Month by month in this state
Highlighted months are when western tanagers are expected in British Columbia. The edges of the window are the interesting weeks — first arrivals and last departures vary most from year to year.
Getting ready before they arrive
The week before May is the time to act. Have feeders cleaned, filled and out by early May — the first western tanagers into British Columbia are scouting for reliable food, and a station that's ready early gets added to their route.
Once nesting begins around June, adults switch to protein-rich food for their young and visits to feeders become quick and purposeful. Expect the busiest activity at dawn.
What western tanagers eat while they're here
- Wasps, beetles, caterpillars and bees
Drops from the treetops to oranges, jelly and birdbaths during spring migration, especially in dry country.
Full Western Tanager diet guide → · Best feeder for western tanagers →
Native plants that hold western tanagers in British Columbia
Food keeps a migrant for a day; habitat keeps it for the season. These British Columbia-native plants are known to attract western tanagers:
Red fruit heads hang on through winter.
Catkin seed feeds redpolls and siskins all winter.
Fast-growing northern cherry with midsummer fruit.
Dark summer fruit and heavy caterpillar load.
White fruit and red winter stems; good thicket cover.
Red fruit persists until late winter when other food is gone.
Berry-like cones feed bluebirds, solitaires and waxwings in winter.
Seeds and bark insects; pygmy nuthatch and woodpecker habitat.
Keep exploring
Frequently asked
When do western tanagers arrive in British Columbia?
western tanagers typically arrive in British Columbia around May, with nesting underway by June. Timing can shift a week or two with the weather in any given year.
When do western tanagers leave British Columbia?
Most western tanagers have left British Columbia by August. They spend the winter farther south and return the following spring.
Do western tanagers stay in British Columbia all year?
No — in British Columbia the Western Tanager is a summer breeder, present roughly May–August. Outside that window it is rarely seen in the state.
What should I put out before western tanagers arrive in British Columbia?
Have feeders up and clean by early May — first arrivals scout reliable food sources. Good offerings for this species: wasps, beetles, caterpillars and bees.
Sources
- Western Tanager — All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Western Tanager life history — Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Western Tanager — Audubon Guide to North American Birds
- eBird region overview and bar charts — British Columbia
- Plant Hardiness Zones of Canada — Natural Resources Canada
- Audubon Native Plants Database
Timing reflects typical patterns for the region as a whole; local dates vary with elevation and year. Check the linked eBird bar charts for your county.